Trials wrap: NRL Fantasy winners & losers

Share on social media

We've now seen all 16 NRL clubs in action in 2019, with plenty of NRL Fantasy talking points to come out of the weekend's trial matches. The bad news was injuries to three tackle-busting superstars, but first to the weekend's success stories.

Winners

Teenage sensation Bronson Xerri ($212k) scored a runaway try and set up another in a terrific effort in the centres for the Sharks. He looks like a great cheapie if he can find a way into a starting spot for round one.

Potential instant gun Scott Drinkwater ($583k) showed some promising flashes in limited game time at fullback for Melbourne against the Warriors. He's still an awkward price and needs to score 39 points a game to break even, but has the tackle-breaking ability to join the big guns quickly.

At the Warriors Adam Keighran ($212k) has his nose ahead of Chanel Harris-Tavita ($212k) to be Blake Green's halves partner, with good kick metre numbers against the Storm. Rookie centre Patrick Herbert also impressed in that game, with one particularly bruising tackle on Drinkwater.

Super popular cheapie Zac Lomax ($230k) started on the left wing for the Dragons but Mikaele Ravalawa ($212k) starred on the other wing (via the bench) with two tries including a great individual effort, and he'll be keeping the pressure on first choice wide man Jordan Pereira.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($379k) appears to have sewn up the No.1 jersey at Canberra after lining up there against the Bulldogs, while Corey Allan ($212k) is in line for a possible start on the wing for Souths after Robert Jennings' exit to the Tigers.

Young gun Jake Clifford ($390k) went into the weekend behind Te Maire Martin ($321k) in the race to be Michael Morgan's halves partner at the Cowboys but a stunning hat-trick didn't hurt his cause.

The Broncos will be without the suspended Payne Haas for the opening month of the season and young prop Thomas Flegler ($212k) put his hand up to replace him with a standout display against Wynnum, while Kotoni Staggs ($280k) put a little pressure on Brisbane's starting centres with a try and a couple of goals.

Losers

Most NRL coaches opted to rest most of their starters after half-time but injuries are impossible to avoid, and they struck three of the most popular players in Fantasy this week.

The biggest blow was suffered by Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic, who could be out of action for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury. That makes him very long odds to be fit for the start of the season.

One of 2018's biggest breakout stars Viliame Kikau is undergoing scans on Monday to determine how long he'll be sidelined with a knee injury.

Broncos rising star Tevita Pangai jnr suffered a hamstring injury in the trial against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls but the news was positive on Sunday he could be back in action ahead of round one.

Elsewhere there were injuries to Cronulla's Ava Seumanufagai (knee) and Cowboys prop CoreyJensen (ankle), while Bulldogs trio Adam Elliott, Dylan Napa and Kerrod Holland picked up minor injuries but should be fine.

In positional news, new Bulldog Nick Meaney may not be a certainty for the fullback spot with Will Hopoate preferred at the back against Canberra, with Marcelo Montoya promoted into the starting backline and Meaney used off the bench. Panthers cheapie Wayde Egan also came off the bench behind rival hooker Sione Katoa.

And potential Eels cash cow Jaeman Salmon won't be lining up in the centres for Parramatta at the start of the season after copping a one-match ban for drink driving.